Panama Canal Celebrates 100 Years

The Panama Canal celebrates today a century of operations connecting the world, committed to completing its Expansion, the largest infrastructure project of the waterway since its opening.

"Going forward, the Panama Canal will continue to connect the world, supported by all the modernization efforts since its construction,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. “The Expansion will change trade patterns just as the Canal opening did a century ago.”

The Panama Canal opened to world trade on August 15, 1914 with the passage of SS Ancon. Ever since, the 80-kilometer waterway has registered over 1,055,000 transits reducing distances, time and shipping costs.

During the past 100 years, the Panama Canal has left a legacy of innovation, connectivity, cultural diversity and sustainability having an impact on world maritime trade.